Reaction control device

ABSTRACT

As rotational mechanical devices accelerate or decelerate, they generate torque against their housing and/or their surroundings. This torque represents wasted energy that is lost to the system. The invention comprises the use of equal and opposite force from an energy source such as a spring or counterweight to counteract to the torque generating forces in the mechanical device.

CONTINUATION-IN-PART APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/436,380, which will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,267 on May 22, 2001, and which is hereby incorporated by referenced in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to the conservation of energy in general and with conservation of energy in mechanical devices during acceleration and deceleration in particular.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Newton's third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction. In prior art systems, the energy expended on the reaction is typically dissipated through the surroundings of the device and lost to the environment. This energy is not used to perform the work of the device, and is thus wasted. Accordingly, an invention meeting the following objectives is desired.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the invention to retain a greater amount of the energy expended in operation of a mechanical device within the mechanical system.

[0007] It is another object of the invention to counteract torque in rotational mechanical devices created by acceleration and deceleration.

[0008] It is still another object of the invention to increase the efficiency of rotational mechanical devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] As rotational mechanical devices accelerate or decelerate, they generate torque against their housing and/or their surroundings. This torque represents wasted energy that is lost to the system. The invention comprises the use of equal and opposite force from an energy source such as a spring or counterweight to counteract to the torque generating forces in the mechanical device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1A illustrates a motor or a generator with a static counterweight on the light side of the housing.

[0011]FIG. 1B illustrates a motor or a generator with spring tension applied to the light side of the housing or with spring tension applied in the opposite direction to the heavy side of the housing.

[0012]FIG. 1C illustrates a motor or generator having a brace positioned to counteract torque exerted against the housing.

[0013]FIG. 1D illustrates a motor or generator having another embodiment of a brace positioned to counteract torque exerted against the housing.

[0014]FIG. 1E illustrates a motor or generator having a counterweight with varying lever length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In mechanical systems, a considerable amount of energy is used in overcoming the inertia of the system during acceleration and deceleration. One type of mechanical system that is of particular interest are rotational systems 1 such as electrical motors, electrical generators, or turbine engines. These systems will typically have rotational member 2 mounted in a housing 3. As rotational member 2 begins to turn, in accordance with Newton's third law of motion, torque will be exerted on housing 3 in the direction opposite the rotation of rotational member 2. Similarly, when rotational member 2 is accelerated, a similar torque will be exerted against housing 3. When rotational member 2 is decelerated, a torque will also be exerted against housing 3, but in the opposite direction. All of the torque exerted against housing 3 wastes energy and may damage housing 3 over time.

[0016] When torque is exerted against housing 3, housing 3 will rotate in the direction that the torque is applied. This will cause one side of housing 3 to rise, although such displacement may in many cases be slight or infinitesimal. The side of housing 3 which rises under these circumstances is referred to as the “light side” although it is realized that neither the weight nor mass actually change. Similarly, the opposite side of housing 3 is referred to as the “heavy side.” Which side is the light side and which is the heavy side will vary depending on which way rotational member 2 is turning and whether rotational member 2 is accelerating or decelerating.

[0017] The effects of the torque on housing 3 may be addressed by applying weight or tension to the light side of housing 3. This may be accomplished by placing a static counterweight 4 to housing 3 on the light side of the housing. The size of counterweight 4 will depend on the circumference of housing 3 and the torque exerted by rotational member 2.

[0018] Similarly, a static brace 5 may be placed on the light side of housing 3. Brace 5 may connect housing 3 to surrounding structure or the earth, and counteract the torque exerted on housing 3.

[0019] Tension may also be exerted against housing 3. This might be accomplished by exerting downward tension directly against the light side of housing three with a spring 6 or other conventional means or by applying upward pressure to the heavy side of housing 3, again with a spring 6 or other conventional means. It may be useful to provide a cantilever for the exertion of upward force against the heavy side of housing 3.

[0020] Another method of neutralizing the torque exerted by rotational member is by attaching a lever 6 to housing 3. Lever 6 should preferably be provided with a rotable weight 7 at the end of lever 6 opposite housing 3. Rotable weight 7 should preferably be positioned to rotate between a first position where rotable weight 7 is parallel to lever 6 and substantially vertically aligned with lever 7 and a second position where weight 7 is parallel to lever 6 but not substantially vertically aligned with lever 7. When weight 7 is in second position, the effective length of lever 6 will be the length of lever 6 plus the length of weight 7. Of course the force exerted by lever 6 at the point where it attaches to housing 3 will vary depending upon how long lever 6 is, so the force can be varied by rotating weight 7 between its first position and second position. Similarly, weight 7 might be placed on a track and moved linearly between first position and second position. By varying the length of lever 6 and thus the force exerted by lever 6, the appropriate force can be tailored to match the amount of torque being exerted against housing 3 at any given time. Where the torque being exerted against housing 3 is constantly changing, it may be useful to continuously rotate rotable weight 7 from first position, through second position, and back to first position at a rate of about 1 rotation per second. A small motor 8 may be provided to effect the rotation of weight 7.

[0021] As noted above, the heavy side and the light side of housing 3 may change depending upon whether rotational member 2 is accelerating or decelerating. They may also change if the direction of rotation of rotational member 2 should change. Thus, it would be useful to have a system for counteracting torque on either side of housing 3. This may be accomplished by allowing lever 6 to pivot on its attachment point to housing 3, so that lever 3 may rotate from one side of housing 3 to the other, and thus exert counter-torque to either side of housing 3.

[0022] The principles of this invention may be applied to other devices that are not rotational in nature. For example, when a rocket is launched from a launch pad, the rocket will cause the pad to deflect downward. If the pad is reconfigured as a first class lever, with the rocket on one end and a fulcrum in the middle, the rocket will cause the end that it is on to deflect downward. This deflection may be counterbalanced on the opposite end by applying downward pressure there. Thus, by neutralizing the downward displacement caused by the rocket, the launch may be made more efficient.

[0023] It will be apparent that while preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device having a housing and a rotational member contained within said housing, wherein said rotational member has an axis of rotation and wherein said rotational member applies torque to said housing in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said rotational member when said rotational member is accelerating, wherein the method comprises: positioning a counterweight on said housing such that the gravitational force of said counterweight will be applied to said housing in the opposite direction of said torque.
 2. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device having a housing and a rotational member contained within said housing, wherein said rotational member has an axis of rotation and wherein said rotational member applies torque to said housing in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said rotational member when said rotational member is accelerating, wherein the method comprises: positioning a brace on said housing, such that the torque applied to said housing will be absorbed by said brace, whereby said housing will be precluded from rotating.
 3. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device having a housing and a rotational member contained within said housing, wherein said rotational member has an axis of rotation and wherein said rotational member applies torque to said housing in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said rotational member when said rotational member is accelerating, wherein the method comprises: applying pressure to said housing with a spring in the opposite direction of said torque.
 4. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device having a housing and a rotational member contained within said housing, wherein said rotational member has an axis of rotation and wherein said rotational member applies torque to said housing in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said rotational member when said rotational member is accelerating, wherein the method comprises: applying pressure to said housing in the opposite direction of said torque.
 5. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device having a housing and a rotational member contained within said housing, wherein said rotational member has an axis of rotation and wherein said rotational member applies torque to said housing in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of said rotational member when said rotational member is accelerating, wherein the method comprises: attaching a lever to said housing in a direction substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation, wherein said lever is positioned to allow a force exerted at the end of said lever to be applied to said housing in a direction opposite of said torque.
 6. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device according to claim 5 wherein said lever is provided with a weight at an end of said lever opposite said housing.
 7. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device according to claim 6 wherein said weight is configured to be extended past the end of said lever, whereby the effective length of said lever may be increased.
 8. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device according to claim 7 wherein said weight is configured to be extended past the end of said lever by pivotably mounting said weight at the end of said lever opposite said housing and rotating said weight.
 9. A method of counteracting torque in a mechanical device according to claim 5 wherein said lever is configured to rotate to face opposite sides of said housing, whereby the direction of force applied to said housing by said lever may be changed depending upon the direction of the torque generated by operation of the device. 